ffield
TIMES
Ph> Choral Festival,
page 4
H> Library gardens,
page 10
Community News for Sheffield & Ashley Falls, MA SECOND GENERATION Vol. XI, Issue VI July/August 20 1 2
DEWEY HALL CELEBRATES 1 25™ ANNIVERSARY
The Sheffield
Friendly Union will
celebrate Dewey
Memorial Hall's 125 th
anniversary on Sept.
8 with a gala concert
featuring Kip Beacco
and the Lucky Five.
The anniversary party,
which begins at 8pm,
is part of Sheffield in
Celebration. It also
kicks off the hall's 2012-2013 concert
Dewey Memorial Hall
Sheffield Friendly
Union, the steward
of the historic venue.
Kip Beacco and
his band will perform
"heavy-duty, old-
school, hard-swingin
jazz." The group's
members, who come
from the Berkshires
and New York City,
bring verve, high
energy, and an unpredictable impulse
season and will provide an opportunity to the tradition of jazz from the 1920s,
for community-spirited people to join the '30s and '40s. Jean Emberlin, a Sheffield
Friendly Union board member, says,
"Bring your dancing shoes"
Dewey Hall's folk concert series
finished its fifth season on June 30 with
a multi-artist show. The series, which
features both regional favorites and artists
with national followings, starts up again
with performances by Robert Oakes on
Oct. 6, David Reed on Nov. 3, and Rak-
ish Paddy on Dec. 1. The folk concerts
are usually held the first Saturday of each
month, except in the summer.
During July and August, the Housa-
tonic Valley Art League uses the hall to
Continued on page 3
POLICE CHIEF McCARRY RETIRES AFTER MORE THAN 40 YEARS
Sheffield Police Chief James McGarry will
retire at the end of July. He has been chief
of the Sheffield Police Dept. since 1971.
"It has been a pleasure to have had
Jim McGarry as Chief for so many years
and to have the opportunity to work
with him for the past couple of years,"
said David A. Smith, Jr., chairman of the
Sheffield Board of Selectmen. "Though
he's leaving a large set of shoes to fill, he
has left us with a competent department,
and we are confident that we will find an
adequate replacement. We wish him the
PARTY FOR THE CHIEF!
The Board of Selectmen invite every-
one to a party to honor Chief McGarry
on Sun.July 29, from 2 to 4pm at the
Town Park on Frederick Lane.
best with his retirement."
The Town is accepting
applications for Acting Chief
and Officer in Charge until
July 15. The Board of Select-
men will then make a decision.
McGarry, 66, started
out as a patrolman in 1967
working for Santi Gulotta,
who was Selectman, Police
Chief and owner of two gas
stations in town. McGarry also worked
at those gas stations. (Santi is father
of Tony and Edward Gulotta, owners
of the Mobil station, the one station
that remains.) In those days, the police
department was tucked into a room in
Town Hall, and Gulotta used his own
vehicle as the town's police car.
Chief Jim McGarry
Selectmen and a life-long
resident of the town, says
McGarry is the only police
chief she remembers. "He
utilized a community polic-
ing approach to law enforce-
ment long before commu-
nity policing was so named,"
she noted. "He's guided
many young people back to
a straighter path with his
firm, but compassionate approach."
Rene Wood, another Selectman,
echoed her colleague's sentiments. "Jim's
firm but compassionate leadership has
reflected Sheffield's values," she said. "I've
heard many stories of lives turned around
by one of his one-on-one conversations."
She added that she will miss the Chief
Continued on page 3
t o
In this issue
Community
Farmers' Market
9
Organizations & Businesses
Dry Brook
2
Mt. Everett Environthon
12
Water tank, Construct, Scouts
21
Stookey award
3
Library News
10
Cobble news
22
Choral Festival
4
Senior Center News
13
Kiwanis, Berkshire Mt. Distillers
24
American Legion, Music & More
5
Village Green
Historical Society
25
Owlets
6
Board of Selectmen minutes, vacancies
14
Land Trust
26
Sheffield Fair.Antiques Show
7
Town Clerk, Comm. on Disabilities
17
Fire log
12
Sunset Rock Trail
8
Recycling
Conservation Commission,
recycling
18
19
Calendar page
27
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Hi Sheffield businesses I
Hi Sheffield residents 1
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that benefit Sheffield j
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A summer's view of Dry Brook
Kelsey Rd. in southwestern Sheffield is a good spot from which to appreciate the long north-
south valley carved in limestone bedrock by the Pleistocene glaciers. The valley is covered
by a rare kind of calcareous wetlands, known to be the finest of their kind in southern New
England. These wetlands support abundant wildlife, including many rare and endangered
plants and animals. In 1990 the watershed area was designated as an Area of Critical
Environmental Concern by the Commonwealth. The following year a much larger area,
including the forested mountains, was declared by The Nature Conservancy as one of its
"Last Great Places." — Nancy Smith
////////////////m////////////////////////////////////////////^^^^
Sheffield
TIMES
Community Newsletter for
Sheffield & Ashley Falls, MA
Editors: Kathy Orlando & Andrea Scott
Layout: Andrea Scott
Advertising Sales: Tara White
Distribution: Trudy Weaver Miller
Staff: Sandy & Dale Alden, Rae Eastman,
Fred Gordon, Gillian Hettinger,
Judy Schumer, Ellen Weiss,
Barbara West, John Wightman
Published by
The Sheffield Association
P.O. Box 1339
Sheffield, MA 01257
sheffieldtimes@hotmail.com
www.sheffieldtimes.org
and on Facebook: Sheffield Times
Working since 2001 to foster communication
among the people, businesses and organizations
of Sheffield and Ashley Falls.
Thank You,
Supporters!
Your generous response help!
us keep Sheffield informed!
Blanche Bennett
Phyllis Samuels
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Marcel & Irene Tuchman
Lester Morrell
Martha & Barry Williamson
Edward & Lori Race
If we missed thanking you here, 1
ve'll catch you in the next issue.
If you haven't contributed la
tely, do it now! See page 21.
Photo credits: Andrea Scott, page 1,11, 22. Rhonda
LaBombard, I. Nancy Smith, 2. Harvard University, 3.
Bruce Philbrick, S. Fred Harwood, 6, 8. Kathy Orlando, 7.
Gillian Hettinger, lO.Trudy Weaver Miller, 13, 21. Beth
Bartholomew, 21. Barbara Howling, 25.
THREE MORE WAYS TO SUPPORT
THE SHEFFIELD TIMES
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cA? Submit articles, news items, photos or illustrations.
rite Tell us about your events.
rite Advertise— and support our advertisers.
Sheffield Times
P.O.Box 1339
Sheffield, MA 01257
E-mail: sheffieldtimes@hotmail.com
^
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September/October
issue deadline:
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August 15
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S&*
STOOKEY RECOGNIZED FOR SERVICE TO THE CHORAL FIELD
Each year, Chorus America, one of the
largest national service organizations
for choral music in North America, rec-
ognizes achievements in choral music.
Ten awards were presented at the
Chorus America Conference on June
15 in Minneapolis, including the 2012
Distinguished Service Award given to
Sheffield resident John Hoyt Stookey.
The awards dinner was hosted by
Anton Armstrong, conductor of the
St. Olaf Choir and board member
of Chorus America. A three-minute
video overview of John's work was
shown (search for "John Hoyt Stookey"
on YouTube).
John founded the Berkshire Choral
Festival in Sheffield 31 years ago. Grow-
ing from a handful of concerts put on
by some 80 singers that first year, the
Festival now brings over 1,000 choristers
from the U.S. and abroad to rehearse
and perform the great choral- orchestral
Trudy Weaver Miller and Anton Armstrong with
John Hoyt Stookey as he receives the award.
Santa Fe, NM; Salzburg, Austria; Can-
terbury, England; Spoleto, Italy; Vancou-
ver, BC, Prague, Czech Republic; and this
year in Edinburgh, Scotland. The Festival
is proud to claim over 6,000 alumni.
The Festival also offers a competitive
apprentice program for professional-
track, post-graduate school singers and
conductors. Former apprentices can now
masterpieces at Berkshire School, accom- be heard on some of the major stages of
panied by the Springfield Symphony. It the world, including the Chicago Lyric
has also performed at satellite venues in Opera and the Berlin Staatsoper, as well
DEWEY HALL, from page /
show works by local artists, as it has been
doing for many years. During the rest of
the year, the hall is also used for other
cultural activities — the Berkshire Chil-
dren's Chorus rehearsals, dance recitals
and concerts. The hall is also available for
weddings, bar mitzvahs and other events.
The 100 th anniversary of Dewey
Memorial Hall in 1987 served as an
occasion to remember
the contributions of the
Unitarian minister and
author Orville Dewey
to Sheffield. Following
a parade led by bagpip-
ers, William P. Clark,
then president of the
Sheffield Friendly
Union, historian C. Mason Dutcher and
representatives of the Unitarian Church all
delivered remarks. After a "picnic supper"
in the hall, local performers sang 19th
century songs by Stephen Foster and oth-
ers, including one written for the Friendly
Union in 1871 by Dewey's daughter Mary.
Orville Dewey was born in Shef-
Orville Dewey
field in 1794 and graduated from
Williams College in Williamstown.
Rebelling against the Calvinistic heri-
tage of his family, he became an early
leader of the Unitarian Church and
preached in Boston, New Bedford and
New York. After retiring to Sheffield
in 1862, he devoted himself to com-
munity projects and received visits at
his home from celebrities such as Wil-
liam Cullen Bryant, Oliver Wendell
Holmes, Nathaniel Hawthorne and
Ralph Waldo Emerson.
During these years, Dewey founded
the Sheffield Friendly Union Library
Association. Its stated purpose was to
"increase good and kindly feelings and to
promote intelligence and cheerfulness."
Lectures, games, and parlor amusements
entertained those who attended the
Association's monthly meetings.
After Dewey died in 1882, his
friends raised money to build a hail in
his memory to house the Friendly Union
Association. Dewey Memorial Hall was
dedicated in 1887. — Ken Terry
as found teaching at major colleges and
universities around the country. Several
now serve as Festival faculty.
The Berkshire Choral Festival also
has an undergraduate level program, the
Berkshire Scholar Program. Each year,
20 college-aged students attend a singing
week on full scholarship. Berkshire Schol-
ars typically come from US. colleges,
although several have come from far away,
sponsored by people from the Berkshires
with connections in those lands.
Supporting John's great creativity
has been the enduring presence of his
wife, Appy. Whether it was supply-
ing the Festival with flowers from her
gardens, setting out audience chairs, or
cooking innumerous meals for the solo-
ists and guest conductors, Appy has been
integral to the success of the Festival.
Who would have thought that a small
farming community such as Sheffield
would produce a music festival for over
30 years, with concerts featuring masses
of voices and a full symphony orchestra?
Bravo, John! — Trudy Weaver Miller
CHIEF, from page 1
and hopes he'll find new ways to continue
contributing to the town.
Under McGarry s leadership, the
Police Dept. moved into the former
Sheffield Library, on the corner of Route
7 and Berkshire School Rd., as part of
the "three building" renovation project
completed in 1996. The department now
has five full-time officers in addition to a
dozen part-timers.
McGarry worked one year past the
mandatory retirement age thanks to spe-
cial legislation that allowed him to stay.
He is the longest-serving police chief in
Massachusetts, well known statewide
as an emergency management trainer.
McGarry has also secured numerous
grants to support community policing
and emergency management needs of
the town.
"I am glad that I had the oppor-
tunity to get to know and work with
Chief McGarry," said Town Adminis-
trator Rhonda LaBombard."He has
been a great asset to the town and will
be greatly missed." — Andrea Scott
Community News
CHORAL FESTIVAL: DEFIANT REQUIEM, A CONCERT DRAMA
mination camps. A propaganda film show-
ing happy village life was also filmed there.
Although the Requiem bolstered the
spirits of singers and listeners at Terezin,
most were doomed. Of the 140,000 people
brought through the camp, nearly 100,000
did not survive. A few weeks after the fi-
nal performance of the Requiem, Schachter
himself was loaded into a cattle car with
1,000 others and sent to Auschwitz.
The story of Rafael Schachter inspired
American conductor Murry Sidlin (New
Haven Symphony, Aspen Music Festival, Na-
tional Symphony Orchestra) to research and
create the brilliant multi-media concert dra-
The Berkshire Choral Festival will present an historically signif-
icant program during its 2012 season at Berkshire School — the
so-called Defiant Requiem, Verdi's Requiem filtered through the
experience of a concentration camp called Terezin.
The village of Terezin (or Theresienstadt) had been rebuilt
and touted by Hitler as a "city for the Jews," to protect them dur-
ing the war. Located one hour outside of Prague, Czechoslovakia
(now the Czech Republic), it held a disproportionate number of
artists, writers, musicians and intellectuals because of its proximi-
ty to the sophisticated city.
One of the prisoners was Rafael Schachter, a Bucharest-born
conductor. Knowing the power of music to lift up the spirits of
the downtrodden, he used his skills to lead singing, to present op-
eras and, finally, to train more than 150 vocalists to sing Verdi's
Requiem. The charismatic conductor provided hope by predicting
that someday the Terezin singers would be performing this music ma, Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezin. Pre-
SUMMER
FAIR
Annual Summer
Fair with silent
action, crafters,
bake sale, lunch
& raffle. July 21,
I0am-3pm, First
Congregational
Church of
Egrmont, 34 Main
St., S. Egremont
in Prague, in freedom.
Despite the difficulties of teaching difficult Latin parts by
rote from a single score, Schachter managed to organize 16 per-
formances of the Requiem, the first in 1942 and the last in 1944
when deportations to death camps had reduced his chorus to
only 60. One of the performances was attended by Adolph Eich-
mann and officials of the Red Cross, who were being shown a
miering in 2002, the work tells the story of
Rafael Schachter and his Terezin choruses.
Verdi's dramatic music is introduced and
interspersed with video interviews of survi-
vor-singers, footage from the Nazi propaganda film and live nar-
ration. Several of the musical movements begin with an out-of-
tune piano accompaniment, suggesting the reality of the Ter-
Rafael Schachter
Dawn O'Neil's Family Child Care
cleaned-up version of Terezin to dispel rumors of German exter- ezin performances, then morph into full orchestra, the ideal envi-
sioned by the original singers.
The lessons of Terezin are powerful, dramatic and inspi-
rational with a contemporary message of hope for all who are
caught up in conflict and who hear this story. The Berkshire Cho-
ral Festival learned that on the spot on May 17, 2009, when the
group traveled to Prague and performed the work in the former
camp as the featured afternoon event of a day-long commemora-
tive anniversary day of the camp's liberation.
This year, the Berkshire Choral Festival will present Defiant
Requiem: Verdi at Terezin on Sat., July 21 at 7:30pm in the Jack-
man L. Stewart Center at Berkshire School.
Tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at 229-
1999; by e-mail at boxoffice@choralfest.org; or online at
www.chorus.org/hear/purchase_tickets.php.
•b
I
■ 0.: i/i'-i '[.
1701 Hewins Street
Ashley Fails, MA 01222
(413) 229-8557
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Berkshire Products, Inc.
884 Ashley Falls Rd, Sheffield, MA
413-229-7919
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M-F 8.00 - 4:30. Sat 800-Noon
MUSIC & MORE
MANY HANDS, MAKE LIGHT WORK
New roof at the American Legion
An impressive gang of workers turned out in May to help replace the
Legion Hall's roof. In this photo: Fred Harwood, Kurt Syer, Charlie
Flynn, Frank Clarke, Matt Hitchcock, Greg Kenyon and Patrick
Chamberland. See the box below for a full list of all who made this
repair possible.
Music & More gets into full swing in New Marlborough.
Now in its 21 st year, Music & More hosts actors, musicians,
writers and other creative artists in performance in a beau-
tiful New England setting, on the Village Green on Rt. 57.
Art at the Meeting House Gallery: "Transformation"
showcases the multi-media work of 30 artists. Opening
reception 5-7pm,July 20. Through Aug. 1 9. "New Marl-
borough Artists," including Maria Gay, Abbe Stahl, Brian
Mikesell, Shawn Fields and Pamela Hardcastle. Opening
reception 5-7pm,Aug: 24.Through -Sept. 23.
Literary and music programs take place at the historic
Meeting house next door. On Aug. 4, "Berkshire Writers
Free for All: Murder Mystery Writers Contest," a free open
reading culminating the annual murder mystery writer's
contest, 4:30pm. Wine reception follows.
On Aug. 25. "A Celebration of Music, Dance and the
Spoken Word," featuring a re-imagining of Stravinsky's
Soldier's Tale. 4:30pm. Tickets online or at the door, $25.
On Sept. I, "Bach's Musical Offering and Other Music
From the Court of Frederick the Great," played on period
instruments. 4:30pm, with a free pre-concert talk at 3:30.
Tickets online or at the door, $25.
For more information, visit www.newmarlborough.org
or call 229-2785 for information. Music & More is spon-
sored by the New Marlborough Village Association; NMVA
membership provides reduced ticket pricing. For Music &
More music events, enjoy a 10 percent discount for a post-
concert dinner atThe Old Inn on the Green next door
(reservations required).
THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Sheffield American Legion Post-340 would like to thank...
...the people and businesses whose gracious donations, received by
June 1,
...and the people and
financed the renovation our Sheffield American Legion's Post Home roof:
businesses who volunteered
time and talents on that
Dale & Sandra Alden
Gary Cookson
Arthur Hyatt
Andrew & Danielle Pedretti
Dean Amidon
Dick Coon Construction
Brian Hyatt
Bruce & Mary Philbrick
bright, sunny, hot May 12 to
Aquatic Designs
Constance Cooper
Hyatt Tree Company
Ted & Susan Pitman
removing the old shingles
Alan Bachetti
Campo De Fiori
Robert Jones
David & Marsha Pottle
Massimo Bachetti
Paul Decker
Greg Kenyon
Precision Autocraft
and installing the new ones:
Fred & Dorothy Bangs
Henry Driscoll
Richard & Margery Kirchner
Sandra Preston Realty
Carmen Barbatos Inc.
David & Ellen Emprimo
Paul Kleinwald Art & Antiques
Ray's Auto Parts
Dale Alden
Ed Barbieri
Francis English
Fred & Jane Knapp
Alfred Richardson
Mark Bachetti
Dana & Deborah Barnum
Scott Erwin
Ed & Alice Leason
Sabrina & Joseph Ruggiero
Karen Chamberland
Ann Barrett
Barbara Fletcher
Richard & Betty LeGeyt
Gene Salvi
Patrick Chamberland
Peter Batacchi — Pete's Service
Bill & Michelle Fowler
Brian & Lois Levenson
Judith Schnurr
Frank Clarke
Harold & Maureen Beckwith
Jack & Sandra French
John & Anita Macchi
Ken & Becky Schopp
DeVries Building Supplies
J.R. Beham Forest Products
Warner Friedman
Bruce Maclnnes
Carl & Pauline Schumann
Charles Flynn
Blanche Bennett
Tom & Wendy Gailes
David & Nancy Macy
Dennis Sears
Frank Garretson
Berkshire Bank
Felipe & Betsy Garcia
Tom & Audrey Major
Joe Seward
Fred Harwood
Berkshire Products
Tom Gibbs
Robert Meyer
Sheffield Pottery
Michelle Harwood
Eric & Cheryl Blackburn
Richard Goodwin
Chris Coenen & Amanda
Jim Shiminski
IKO Shingles
John Blume
Henry Granger
Morgan
Bill & Sharien Simpson
Matt Hitchcock
Phil Boardman
Great Barrington Marketplace
Raymond Murray
Kurt Syer
JTC & Sons
The Bridge Restaurant
Guido's Fresh Marketplace
Twiggs Meyers
Joyce Van Demark
Cord Kenyon
Marcia Brolli
Dennis & Lyn Hankey
Champ Nagle
Ward's Nursery
Greg Kenyon Builders
Bill, Wendy, & Jeff Browne
James Herlihy
Paul & Elizabeth Nardi
Phyllis Weiss
George Oleen
John & Grace Campbell
Phillip & Sally Herrick, Sr.
Francis & Kathy Nourse
David & Barbara West
Bruce Philbrick
Carlson Propane
Samuel & Sally Herrup
Richard & Loraine Novak
West Farm Equipment
Sheffield Plastics/Bayer Material Science
Elizabeth Chapin
Matt Hitchcock
John & Elizabeth O'Donnell
Joe Wilkinson Excavating
Steve Shmulsky Contracting
Eileen & Frank Clarke
Thomas Hitchcock
Olde Yankee Street Rods
Barry & Martha Williamson
David Stetson Roofing
James Collingwood, Sr.
Ed & Caitlin Hotaling
Walter & Gail Orenstein
Thomas Young III
Kurt Syer
Sarah Cook
John & Joan Hotaling
PAC Realty- Maria Ghi
Robert Zimboski
Owen Wright — Mill River Builders
Howden Farm
Brian Palmer— Berkshire GMC
%
Community News
WHOOOOOO' S THERE!
"Oh! Look out! What's that in the road?" exclaimed Michelle as
we rounded a sharp curve on Bow Wow Rd. I swerved around
a small gray ball of fuzz before coming to a quick stop at road
edge. I got out of the car and waved for a following car to stop.
Then we all gathered around a fuzzy barred owlet sitting stoi-
cally on the pavement, its eyes and head slowly following our
careful movements.
Grabbing the camera, I started snapping away. I wondered
out loud, "Where did it come from? Its nest hole should be
nearby." Just then, its momma flew
across the road from branch to branch,
softly hooting as it slowly circled us.
Looking up into the trees near
the edge of the road, we spotted a
lightning-struck pine with a hole in the
scar, from which two more fuzzy heads
silently watched us, watching them.
"We can't leave it here," said Michelle,
as she took off her overshirt and draped
it over the owlet, which started loudly
clacking its beak. Picking it up, she
carried it through poison ivy and put
Adult barred owl it at the base of the scarred pine, then
Owlets in the nest and the fallen baby.
worked to free her shirt from the owlet's long talons.
We had noticed a bit of blood on the owlet's beak. Looking
again at the nest hole, we saw that TV and telephone cables
passed within a foot or so of the opening. Perhaps, we guessed,
it tried to fly out after the mother, clipped a cable, and fell onto
the road, bloodying its beak. We saw no other injury.
Whenever we went that way over the next week, we looked
for the owlet, but saw only two faces looking out from the hole
in the pine. We hope that the mother found a sheltering cranny
for the fallen owlet until it could be on its own, but we know
that young birds on the ground are in peril, even when they are
equipped with sharp beak and talons. — Fred Harwood
BERKSHIRE CH2RAL FESTIVAL
A CHORUS OF 150 VOICES, PROMINENT SOLOISTS AND THE SPRINGFIELD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA.
mevmces
A~©f summer!
PREPs: Free pre-concert talks at 6:1 5 pm*
Saturday July 14 7 30 pm
Beethoven - Missa Solemnis (Latin)
Saturday, July 21 7 30 pm
Defiant Requiem (Latin) (based on the Verdi Requiem)
*PREPS will not be offered prior to this concert.
Saturday, July 28 7 30 pm
Opera Scenes:
Puccini - La Rondine Act II (Italian)
Bizet - Les Pecheurs de Pedes Act /(French)
Verdi, AidaActll (Italian)
Saturday, August 4 7 30 pm
Schubert - Mass in A-flat /Way'or (Latin)
Haydn - Mass in D-minor (latin)
(Lord Nelson Mass)
BOX OFFICE 413-229-1999 Tickets $1 5-$45 • 245 North Undermountain Rd. Sheffield, MA www.choralfest.org
SHEFFIELD IN CELEBRATION: FAIR IS SEPT. 8
The 12 th annual Sheffield in Celebration community groups, including the Town
will again be the weekend after Labor of Sheffield, will have tables to dispense
Day. Under the" Sheffield in Celebration" information and sell their wares,
umbrella this year are the Sheffield Fair on The food court will include local
Sept. 8 and the gala celebration of Dewey produce and goods as well as the Kiwanis
Memorial Hall that evening. trailer selling hot dogs and hamburgers.
Sheffield in Celebration was founded We've heard rumors that the popular
by the Sheffield Association, publisher
of the Sheffield Times, in 2001 as a way
to connect people and businesses in the
community and celebrate our town.
Historical Society salad bar will be back.
Fair food will also be for sale. All through
the fair, local and regional talent will
play family-friendly music. The music is
produced by Tom Ingersoll.
Dewey Hall anniversary gala
The Dewey Hall gala starts at 8pm
and features Kip Beacco and the Lucky
Five. For more on this part of the Cel-
The Sheffield Fair
This year's fair is on Sat., Sept. 8, from
noon to 5pm. A real country fair, in addi-
tion to the food, music, vendors and kids
activities, it includes showmanship and
fitting competitions for cattle, horses and ebration, see the story on page 1
poultry, and more.
The Fair's apple
pie contest, held since
2009, is sponsored by
King Arthur Flour
which provides prizes
in three age categories
as well as for best-in-
show. See the entry
coupon and rules
below.
Local craftspeople,
organizations and
Pie judging and animals — the Sheffield
Fair is a real country fair.
SHEFFIELD ANTIQUES SHOW
The 64 th annual Sheffield Antiques
Show will be held on Aug. 10, I I and
1 2, at Mt. Everett Regional High School.
The longest continuously running
antiques show in Massachusetts, it will
feature some 30 outstanding northeast
dealers specializing in fine antiques
furniture and accessories (country and
formal), fine art, sterling silver, china,
glass, books, oriental rugs, pottery,
jewelry and textiles. There will also be
a bakeshop and a quilt raffle. Refresh-
ments will be served, with lunch avail-
able from I 1 :30am to 2pm.
The show, sponsored by Old Parish
Church, will be open from 1 0am to 5pm
on Friday and Saturday and from 1 0am
to 4pm on Sunday.Admission is $7.
FAIR CONTACTS
Do you have an event going on that
weekend? Let the Celebration Commit-
tee know at sheffieldfair@gmail.com
For more about the Fair, Showman-
ship & Fitting Competition or to inquire
about vendor and exhibitor space,
contact Kathy Orlando at 229-8789 or
sheffieldfair@gmail.com and see coupon
below.
For the Food Court, contact Barb
Davidson at 229-809 1 .
For the Apple Pie Contest, contact
Jennifer Gaenzle Smith at (4 1 3) 329-
6580 or email to jennifer@gaenzle.org
and see coupon below.
APPLE PIE CONTEST ENTRY FORM
Pies must arrive by 1 2 noon forjudging by 3pm.
Pies must be in a non-returnable pan, wrapped in a
clear plastic bag, with a written list of ingredients. No
i food mixes.
Pies will be judged on appearance, aroma, flakiness
of crust and taste. Judges' decisions are final.
To register mail coupon to: Jennifer Gaenzle Smith
RQ Box 625, Sheffield, MA 1 257
Questions? Call Jennifer at (4 1 3) 329-6580
or email her at jennifer@gaenzle.org
Category
□ Junior (ages 1 7 or younger)
Name
□ Adult (18 to 59)
□ Senior (60 and up)
Address
Phone
Email
VENDOR ENTRY FORM
Limited tables and tents available on a first-come, first-
serve basis to those who register in advance.
Call for pricing.
Make checks payable to "Sheffield Association"
with a notation for "Sheffield Fair."
Sheffield Fair • September 8, 20 1 2
RO. Box 1 339, Sheffield, MA 1 257
229-8789 • sheffieldfair@gmail.com
Name
Address
Phone
as you would like it to appear in print
Business name
Email
What is your product/exhibit?
Enclosed is
□ $ 1 for single space ( I Ox 1 0)
□ $20 for double space ( 1 0x20)
%
Community News
r — ~ ' - ^
ON THE TK/WL OF SLIPPERS
deer. A bit further
and just a few
Our hike on a cloudless May morning
started on Sunset Rock Rd., over on the
New York side of the Taconic Range. The yards off the path,
sign directed us 0.6 miles to Sunset Rock, dappled sunlight
The path worn by countless feet into highlighted a
the mountaintop rubble led through
fragrant wild azalea and woodsy star
flowers mixed with dense and sturdy
mountain laurel, well anchored in the
thin, acidic soils. As Michelle and I
strolled along, we looked for pink lady's
group of slippers
huddled in a moist
pocket under stunted birches and pines.
We soon arrived at Sunset Rock,
a small outcrop of the Taconic Range
over Copake, on the northwest flank
View of the Catskills and the Slipper.
slippers, New England's protected orchid of Mt. Everett. Standing on the rock
and the stimulus for our spring hike.
Within minutes we spotted our first
slipper, almost underfoot, at the edge of
the narrow path, its voluptuous, pink
blossom glowing in the sunlight. After
several photos we moved along, scanning
for more blossoms.
Along a stretch where the soil was
moist and shaded, we found several more
slippers, including some whose blossoms
had clearly been nipped by browsing
amidst the wind-bent growth, we
could see over the farms and forests
and communities all the way to the
Catskills, a vibrant spring green flush
spreading as far as we could see.
Rested, we started back. We noticed
that the path exposed a stretch of rock
scoured and polished by the last great
North American glacier. Reportedly more
than a mile thick, the ice moved south
some 20,000 years ago, pushing before
it sufficient earth to create Long Island,
Cape Cod, and the islands of Martha's
Vineyard and Nantucket. Carrying many
sharp bits in its depths, the ponderous ice
ground down and rounded our highlands
and the Catskills, its independent
direction of motion revealed not by
the layers of the rock or the line of the
ridge, but by its scratches at an angle to
persistent rock layers perhaps a half-
billion years old.
The succession of glaciations has
polished the ancient rocks into an easy
spring hike, offering delights beyond
the smell of sweet wild azalea and the
seasonal prize of finding exotic, pink
lady's slippers. — Fred Harwood
For lovers of world-class music and lively
literary chat. - Rural Intelligence
At the historic Meeting House
in scenic New Marlborough,
Massachusetts
Saturday, August 4, 4:30 p.m. FREE !
Berkshire Writers' Free For All: Mystery Writers Contest
Saturday, August 25, 4:30 p.m.
Berkshire Pulse Dancers Meet
Stravinsky
in The Soldier's Tale plus Debussy, Kreisler, Schoenfeld
Saturday, September 1, 4:30 p.m.
Bach's Musical Offering
and other music from the Court of
Frederick the Great
Free pre-concert talk at 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 8, 4:30 p.m.
Daedalus String Quartet
Mendelssohn, Perle and Dvorak
Saturday, September 15, 4:30 p.m.
The Boston Classical Trio
Susanna Ogata, violin; Guy Fishman, cello;
Ian Watson, fortepiano
Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert
Free pre-concert talk at 4 p.m.
Saturday, September 22, 4:30 p.m.
Brahms and Mendelssohn
Robert Levin, piano • Daniel Stepner, violin
Free pre-concert talk at 3:30 p.m.
Saturday, September 29, 4:30 p.m.
Jazz, Latin, and World Fusion
Vocalist Maria Rivas; Paul Green, Jewish/Jazz Project
Wine tasting after the show
Saturday, October 6, 4:30 p.m.
AWard-Winning AUthOrS Mitchel Levitas of The New York
Times with Liza Mundy, Andrew Nagorski, and Peter Cameron
Receptions with the artists after the performances • Art Gallery Shows through Sept. 23
FOR TICKETS & INFORMATION: www.newmarlborough.org (413) 229-2785
CORNFEST!
HIGH SEASON FOR THE FARMERS' MARKET
The Sheffield Farmers' Market is open
every Friday through Labor Day weekend
from 2:30 to 6:30pm. It's located in the
parking lot of Old Parish Church on Main
St., Rt. 7.
Customer parking is available in
the nearby Town Hall Parking Lot. To
ensure that there is sufficient parking for
the other town merchants, the Market
asks its customers to park there when
you come. As a reward for being a good
neighbor, you can collect a Good Parker
Coupon at the Town Hall Parking Lot
and receive $1 off any purchase.
Here's a sampling of what's available:
Moon In The Pond Farm. Dominic Palumbo
has a great selection of sweet, succulent kale, Swiss
chard, white carrots, broccoli, and beautiful heads
of heirloom lettuces as well as his great handmade
sausages and other meats.
Berkshire Mountain Bakery. Just two ounces
of the Sunny Flax loaf, loaded with sunflower seeds
and flax seeds, has six grams of protein. Also for
sale: spelt and whole wheat pizza crusts, plain and
chocolate croissants and all their usual breads.
Your Spice Of Life. Laura Griffin sells to-go
foods (garlic scape vinaigrette, smoked salt butter,
ginger curry carrots, campanelle pasta with garlic
and kale, baked herbed chicken), evocative spice
blends and seasoned salts and her own lavender
lemonade. Much of the produce comes from New
Leaf and Hawk Dance farms, both in Hillsdale.
Ingleside Garden. Dana and Chloe bring
red Russian kale, red flag lettuce, red beets, bok
choy, mixed baby greens, fresh-cut herbs, potted
herbs, and cut flower bouquets of bee balm, calen-
dula, yarrow and wild greens — all organic.
Cheeses from Amazing Real Live Food Co.
include fresh herbed farmers cheese in a variety of
flavors (dill, roasted garlic, jalapeno, plain, basil and
garlic, horseradish); moonlight chaource (slightly
aged, bloomy rind cheese with ash exterior, firm
chevre-style center); and Stella vallis tomme (aged
4-6 months, classic French Alps style, with natural,
edible rind and robust nutty flavors.
Earthborn Garden: Anne Banks has garlic
At the Farmers' Market on Fri.,Aug.
1 0, Cornfest is, well, a celebration of
local corn. In addition to plenty of corn
for sale, there will be corn recipes
and family-friendly corny jokes, corny
clowns, children's games and races, face-
painting and a family concert. Bring the
children and prepare to have fun!
scapes, herbs, Equinox Farm salad greens, salsa,
pickles, jams, syrup, plus tastings of tomato ginger
marmalade and crabapple jelly.
Other vendors include: Bill's Busy Bees (Bill
and Helen Seymour, Hillsdale); Community
Cooperative Farm (Justin Torrico, Sheffield); Hosta
Hill Provisions (Maddie Elling and Abe Hunrichs,
Housatonic); Bow Wow Farm (Doug Rysewyk,
Sheffield); Otavalo Textiles (Pamela Barich); Youth
Farmers (Becky Aragi doing baked goods and Kait-
lin Dawson the vegetables); At The Market Table;
Bizalion's olive oil; local maple syrup; Mumbet dolls
and books; and a community non-profit table.
Support our local economy, regional
food system, and community of farmers
and producers! Check our Facebook page
and www.thesheffieldfarmersmarket.com.
RELIGIOUS SERVICES
ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW
Our firm is proud to have served four generations of
Southern Berkshire families. We welcome the opportunity
to assist you and your family today.
PROVIDING GUIDANCE AND DIRECTION SINCE 1933 -#-
Phone: (413) 528-0630
www.mccormicklegal.com
390 Main Street, Suite 2, Great Barrington. MA 01230
ASHLEY FALLS
Greenwoods Community Church (non-denominational), 355 Clayton Rd.
229-8560; parsonage (860) 824-7442. Sunday: 9:30am Sunday School (ages
3-adult); 10:30am Worship Service, nursery care provided. Rev. Edward M.
Eastman Jr., Pastor
Trinity Methodist (United Methodist), 1156 Ashley Falls Rd. Sunday: 11am
Service. Ken Phesay.
EGREM0NT
First Congregational Church of South Egremont, 34 Main St. 528-2209.
Sunday Worship: 10am. Rev. Steven Blackburn and Rev. Susan Wyman, Supply
Pastors.
GREAT BARRINGTON
Congregation Ahavath Shalom (reconstructionist), North St. 5284197.
Friday, 8pm & Saturday, 10am. Services not held every week. Schedules are
updated on answering machine
Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, 270 State Rd. 528-6378. Friday: 7:30pm
Shabbat Service. Saturday: 10am Shabbat service & Torah study. Rabbi Deborah
Zecher, Associate Rabbi Ari Rosenberg
SHEFFIELD
Christ Church Episcopal & Trinity Lutheran,180 Main St. 229-8811. Sunday:
8am & 10am Holy Eucharist; 10am Sunday School & child care; Thursday: 10am
Holy Eucharist & Healing. Rev. Anne Ryder
Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, Route 7 & Kellogg Rd. 229-8649.
The public is welcome.
Old Parish (United Church of Christ), 125 Main St. 229-8173. Sunday: 10am
Worship. Rev. Jill Graham, Pastor
Our Lady of the Valley (Catholic), Maple Ave. 229-3028. Saturday: 4:00pm Mass;
Sunday: Sheffield 7:30am, 9am Masses; Mill River 10:30 Mass. Rev. Bruce Teague
Sheffield Chapel (non-denominational), 1970 N. Main St. 528-2911, www.
sheffieldchapel.org. Sunday: 10:45am Worship, 9:30am Sunday School for all
ages. Wed.: Group Prayer Time 7pm. Pastor: Corey McLaughlin
I
Library News
THE BEAUTIFUL LIBRARY GARDENS
If there is any place in Sheffield that
epitomizes the power of the local com-
munity to work together to enhance the
place we live in, it is the Bushnell-Sage
Library, a hub of the Sheffield community
with its extensive holdings and multiplic-
ity of cultural activities, set in beautiful,
park-like grounds. The plantings in those
grounds are growing and developing con-
stantly, thanks to the indefatigable efforts
of local volunteers. Librarian Nancy
Hahn says that key players have been
Tom Ingersoll and Sherri MacDonald,
along with Trustees Susan Young, Betty
LeGeyt and Jane Nye, but she hesitates to
name too many names, for fear of leaving
anyone out.
The library, formerly the Sheffield
Center School until its transformation
into the Library in the late 1990s, is
situated in a spot long admired for its
beauty. There, in 1884, the Pine Knoll
Association purchased three acres of
land, fencing it in and equipping it as a
park. Among the principal contributors
to the park was Dr. J. Leland Miller,
who owned my own house on Miller
Ave. and was a mover and shaker in the
community. Even then, the pines there
were ancient, some dating back to the
primeval forest. In 1903, the park was
ceded to The Trustees of
Public Reservations (as The
Trustees of Reservations
was once called), but it was
later returned to the town.
Now, due to the energy
and hard work of many
local people, the library
park is coming into its own.
Nancy Hahn says, "Recent
visitors from the Boston
Public Library were amazed
by the property and how it
is being developed."
The memorial aspect
sap?
fe
The Library land-
scaping is a tribute
to the Sheffield-
community. Above,
the gazebo. At left,
the stairs that lead
out of the patio that's
by the downstairs
Community Room.
mit*.
SANDRA PRESTON REAL ESTATE
Massachusetts, Connecticut & New York Properties
Representing Buyers and Sellers in the Tri-
State area for over 30 years. If you are plan-
ning to buy or sell, please contact us. Our
office is open 7 days a week. We are members
of the Berkshire Board of Realtors and their
Multiple Listing Service as well as the Litch-
field County Board and their MLS. Visit our
website at www.sandraprestonrealestate.com,
e-mail: pressa@verizon.net, or just call us at
413-229-2077.
575 Sheffield Plain, (Route 7)
Sheffield, MA 01257
Sandra Preston, Broker, GRI, CRS
&7ie
Collecting, Preserving and Transmitting
Sheffield's History for the Future
The 1774 Dan Raymond House Museum offers tours
May through September. Come explore the daily lives of
common people from the Revolutionary generation onward,
including the intriguing history of the Sheffield Tory for
whom the house is named.
The Mark Dewey Research Center houses the town's early
archives, including tax and real estate records, historic
photographs, and genealogical research. Open most
Mondays and Fridays, from 1:30 to 4pm, year round.
The 1834 Old Stone Store located on the Town Green func-
tions as the Society's gift shop and exhibition space. Open
weekends April to December.
159 Main Street • PO Box 747 • Sheffield, MA 01257
413.229.2694 • shs@sheffieldhistory.org
www.SheffieldHistory.org
10
of the park began with a bench and two
beautiful crab apple trees dedicated to
Mark Brandt. Now, the community
churches annually donate a tree in
memory of those who died during the
previous year. Other memorial trees
include the one for Martha Wheeler, who
planted her own memorial witch hazel
before she died, a tree visited often by her
family. The Trustees of the Library plan
to make sure memorial plaques are placed
in front of each tree.
Tom Ingersoll, local arborist, comes
with the volunteers of the Sheffield Tree
Project regularly to plant and check on
the progress of the trees. Each year he
runs pruning workshops at the library,
SUMMER READING
Book club. Discuss John Steinbeck's
Grapes of Wrath. Thursday, July 5,
Ipm. Edmund de Waal's The Hare with
the Amber Eye.Thurs., Aug. 2. Colum
McCann'sThis Side of Brightness,
Thurs., Sept. 6.
demonstrating his techniques on the
memorial trees.
The landscaping in the front of the
library is thanks to the efforts of many.
It is dedicated to Millie Smith, a much-
loved local woman who grew up in my
own house as part of the Percy family
and, in her role as lunch lady, went on
to make sure generations of students at
Sheffield Center School ate their green
beans. Again, this was a total com-
munity effort, masterminded by Chris
Tomich, another Sheffield arborist and
landscapes and Tom Ingersoll, and a
tribute to the spirit of Sheffield. Peren-
nials were donated by local nurseryman,
Rick Curtiss, trees were provided by
Ward's Nursery, pavers by Bill DeVries of
DeVries Building Supply, and sod by the
Goodchilds, who run the Sheffield Sod
Farm. Joe Wilkinson ensured that topsoil
would provide a fertile environment for
the new plantings. The masonry walkway
was done by Mark Mendel of Monterey
Masonry. The trees and plantings — all
native — are taken care of by Barbara Carr
and Sherri MacDonald. The centerpiece
American flag was donated by the local
American Legion.
The beautiful barrels in front of the
library, changed seasonally, are main-
tained by Claire Ward. The gazebo,
which used to be further back on the
property, was moved to the front by Tom
Ingersoll, and is a thank you to John
Campbell, the previous head librarian,
who oversaw the development of the new
library. (He is the second of only three
librarians in the library's 90-year history.)
A relatively recent development is the
sunken patio garden that opens off the
downstairs Community Room. Designed
by architect John James, this again
involved the work of many, including Joe
Wilkinson (contractor), Johnston and
Johnston (builders), Sherri MacDonald
(landscape architect) and the Friends of
the Bushnell-Sage Library.
The memorial benches are dedicated
to Inez Flinn and Bealla SchifFman,
fondly remembered local women. New
THE BUSHNELL-SAGE LIBRARY
Just off Route 7 in Sheffield 4 1 3-229-7004
Hours:Tues.-Thurs. 1 0-5; Fri. 1 0-8;
Sat. 1 0-5, Sun 2-5; Mon. closed
this year is a hosta garden on the slopes,
donated by Susan Young and Cathy Ness,
which Berkshire School students helped
plant on Gracious Living Day in April,
fueled by refreshments donated by The
Marketplace.
Inside the Library are many beautiful
plants, which are lovingly fed and watered
by Sherri MacDonald, who has the ability
to raise ailing plants from the brink of
death. The bloom extends to the Library's
books — the extensive collection of garden
books is a huge draw, thanks to the energy
and scholarship of Jacqueline Connell.
Betty Young, Library Trustee, gives
a great deal of credit to the Sheffield
Finance Board and the Board of Select-
men, who have always been supportive of
the Library. It is this support, combined
with the tireless and generous efforts
of local volunteers and businessmen,
that has ensured that the Bushnell-Sage
library is truly the jewel in the crown of
Sheffield. — Gillian Hettinger
FREE PASSES
The Library has passes that patrons
can check out for many of the cultural
destinations in Berkshire CountyThe
Mount, Berkshire Botanical Garden,
Norman Rockwell Museum, Mass
MoCA, and many more. Call or visit to
find out what's available.
L Rachael Baumann & Lauren Hyde
Event Planners
413-854-3854
Purpledressevents@gmail.com
www.purpledressevents.com
Purple Dress Events
Of The Berkshires
535 Polikoff Road Ashlev Fa lis. MA 01 222
©
WE GROW THE FUTURE
WEBSTER
design landscape horticulture
1719 North Main Street Sheffield, MA 01257
413-229-8124 websterlandscapes.com
1 1
Community News
MT. EVERETT ENVIROTHON TEAM AT WORK
Mass Envirothon is a statewide envi-
ronmental education program for high
school students. The program stresses the
interdependence of humans and nature.
Envirothon teams representing schools
and community organizations prepare
through the year for a statewide event in
May that tests their knowledge of forest,
wildlife, water and soil resources and cur-
rent environmental issues.
The Envirothon team at Mount Ever-
ett Regional High School, which includes
Coach Will Conklin, Sierra Wilson,
Miranda Hosier and Stefan Zdiarski,
competed in the statewide competition
on May 17 at Blackstone River & Canal
Heritage State Park in Uxbridge, MA.
(The winners are not yet known.)
This year's current issue was "sustain-
able storm water management." As part
of our research, we explored how storm
water is managed at the Housatonic Riv-
erwalk, and our high school. One of the
problems we discovered was that sand,
salt and debris from roads and parking
areas wash into waterways, polluting the
fresh water. At the Riverwalk, some miti-
gation measures are in place, such as a rain
garden to help filter the water naturally
and a flow form behind Rite Aid on Rt. 7
that improves water quality by oxygenat-
ing the water before it enters the river.
Our team suggested that more
frequent maintenance on the catch basins
would improve their effectiveness. At the
Mount Everett campus we discovered the
roof on the school's Agricultural Barn can
be used to collect rainwater in barrels.
The water can be used around the barn
and to water the gardens, reducing our
water usage.
We are hoping to implement other
projects at the campus: improving the
maintenance of the campus contain-
ment ponds and installing water-quality
improving systems such as flow forms
FIRE LOG
May
20
Alarm at Sheffield Library.
22
Alarm at Mt. Everett High
School. i
25
Injured hiker on Applachian Trail.
26
Stand-by for Egremont Fire
Dept.
27
Mutual aid to Canaan, CT, Fire
Dept.
27
Propane leak at Cobble Lane.
28
Rescue injured hiker off Race
Brook Falls.
29
Lightning strike on Route 7
North.
June
1
Mutual aid to Canaan, CT,
Fire Dept.
15
Wires on fire on Home Rd.
and County Rd.
and rain gardens. We hope to increase
awareness of sustainable storm water
management and get the community
involved in these projects that we are
looking to put in place.
A special thanks to Dave Smith, Sr.,
for meeting with us to discuss sustainable
development as part of the Town plan-
ning process. — Miranda Hosier
Christ Church Episcopal &
Trinity Lutheran Church, Sheffield
ANNUAL PARISH FAIR
Saturday, August 4,
from 9am- 3pm
180 Main St. (Route 7)
413-229-8811
Huge Tag Sale
Fun-4-Kids
Baked Goods
Pickles, Jams, Jellies
Fresh Cape Cod Clams
Burgers, Dogs, Salads
Cold Drinks, Iced Coffee
Crafters
Bouncy House
Book Sale
Entertainment
Popcorn
Corn on the Cob
Root Beer Floats
FEELING
PECKISH?
LOOK NO FURTHER
THE HUNGRY HEN
CATERING IN THE BERKSHIRES
THEHUNGRYHEN.COM 413-229-9997
12
Senior Center News
SENIOR CENTER HAS BUSY SPRING AND SUMMER
Improvements to the building continue at the Sheffield
Senior Center. The long-awaited window treatments, paid
for with money from Sheffield taxpayers and donations
from the Friends of the Senior Center, are finally installed
and are a great addition both aesthetically and functionally.
Air conditioning has added to the Senior Center's being a
The flowers, perennials and annuals, add welcome warmth
and color to the area around the building.
Programs and activities have increased. This summer, look
for another men's breakfast, a Ladies' Tea featuring artist/
musician Diane Taraz, a trip to the Mac-Haydn Theatre in
Chatham, eurhythmy classes with Francesca Margulies and a
destination and cooling center for elders escaping the heat of fraud-awareness program given by Berkshire Bank.
early summer.
The Sheffield Kiwanis donated funding and Mt. Everett
eighth graders provided the elbow grease to help Sheffield
seniors in installing plants around the sides of the building.
Eighth graders helping plant around the Senior Center; the happy work crew.
Especially exciting is a six-week intergenerational program
sponsored by the South Berkshire Community Coalition entitled
"Bridging the Gap — Projects between Ages." On consecutive
Thursdays seniors matched with girls from Chimney Corners
YMCA Camp in Becket will share projects,
stories and experiences at the Senior Center.
An ice cream social is planned for July and a
blueberry festival for August. Watch for details
in the monthly newsletter, the Sheffield Senior
Crier, mailed to over 700 Sheffield addresses.
If you would like to receive it, give the Senior
Center a call at 229-7037 or read it on the
Town website at www.shemeldma.gov.
Come on down to 25 Cook Rd., escape the
heat and have a visit. We are here to serve!
— John-Arthur Miller, Director
THE FRIENDS OFTHE SENIOR CENTER
On June 2, the Friends held a wonderfully successful and
giant tag sale. Of course, the event would not have been
such a success without the many, many hours put in by our
many terrific and energetic volunteers. Thank you to you
all! We also want to thank all who donated items and who
came to our event and supported our endeavor.
In the last issue of the Sheffield Times, we told you about
The Friends' venture into the electronic realm with a
Facebook page (search for "Sheffield Senior Center" on your
home page). Well, now we also have our own website! Go to
SheffieldSeniorCenterFriends.weebly.com and check it out!
You'll find information about the Friends, the Senior Center's
schedule of activities for the month, upcoming Friends events,
trips, photos and more. Let us know what you think!
Sheffield in Celebration. The Friends are working
with the Council on Disabilities in planning for a booth for
the Sheffield Fair. We expect to have a bake sale (donations
will be greatly appreciated), popcorn, beverages and more.
Look for additional information in the next issue.
Not too early for Christmas. On Dec. I, the Friends
will be holding our first Christmas and Crafts Fair. Anyone
interested in setting up a table to sell their handcrafted
items can call George Oleen (229-6670), Kathy Cashiola
(229-2774) or Claudia Martin (229-2871). Rates for the
tables will be $25 (card table), $30 (6-foot table) and $35
(8-foot table). Look for more details in the next issue.
And as always — don't forget to stop by the Senior Cen-
ter anytime to join in the many fun activities, to work on a
puzzle or to just visit! — Claudia Martin
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I3
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Village Green
FROM THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN'S MINUTES
April 2 regular meeting
The Board discussed the proposed state
law changing speed limits currently posted
at 30 mph to 25 mph, agreeing that it
opposed the change.
After discussing the plan changes for
municipal health care, the Board voted to
issue the required "5 2.03 notice" as drafted
to the Insurance Advisory Committee.
Administrator LaBombard said she
had received a letter of resignation from
highway employee Michael Kingsbury.
The Board thanked Kingsbury for his
service to the town. The Board discussed
the appointment of department heads
and voted to put all of them into the same
appointment cycle starting in 2013.
The Board voted to engage Melanson
of positive feedback.
The Board authorized the Town
Administrator to sign the repair order for
repairs to the elevator as a result of the
state inspection.
April 23 working meeting
This meeting was held as a voter-infor-
mation session before the Annual Town
Meeting. Administrator LaBombard
conducted the meeting. She introduced
Mark Cappadona of Colonial Power
Group, Inc., who gave a short presentation
on Municipal Power Aggregation, also
known as Community Choice Aggrega-
tion, which is Article 28 on the warrant.
He fielded questions from both the Board
and the public. Administrator LaBombard
Heath 8C Co. to complete the audit for Fis- then reviewed the FY2013 budget, which
cal Year 2012 at the same fee as FY2011.
Board Chairman Rene Wood pre-
sented a draft letter regarding state senate
bill S.2200 to the Joint Committee on
Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.
Town Administrator Rhonda LaBombard
and Selectman David Smith, Jr., reported
that their attendance at the Council on
Aging meeting on April 19 received a lot
JOIN IN HELPING YOUR TOWN
YourTown needs youlTheTown of Sheffield is seeking
applicants for many vacant positions. Serving on a board
or committee is a way to get to know your neighbors
and better know your town.
For instance, currently the Town does not have
a representative for the Five Town Cable Advisory
Committee, which is responsible for making sure the
cable needs of the five member towns are addressed.
With representatives from the towns of Lee, Lenox,
Stockbridge, Great Barrington and Sheffield, Sheffield
has three seats, all vacant.
Here are other open positions:
Ashley Falls Historic District Committee: I member.
Cultural Council: 4 members.
Commission on Disabilities: 1-5 members (the
Commission currently has four of 5-9 members).
Historical Commission: 6 members.
Housing Commission: I member.
Local Emergency Planning Committee: I member.
Park and Recreation Committee: 2 members.
Planning Board Associate Member: I member.
Public Weigher: 3 positions.
Anyone interested in serving on a Board or Commis-
sion should send a letter of interest to the Town Adminis-
trator's office. — Rhonda Labombard, Town Administrator
will be voted on at Town Meeting, and
took questions.
April 23 regular meeting
The Board voted to grant an Antique
8C Second Hand Goods License to Emma
Blair for Berkshire Vintage, LLC, to be
located at 1695 North Main St. The store
will feature vintage home furnishings.
Chairman Wood
read a list of town
appointments expir-
ing June 30, as well
as positions currently
open. Administrator
LaBombard noted that
everyone currently
holding an expiring
appointment will
receive a letter from the
Town within the next
few weeks, and if they
wish to apply for reap-
pointment, they can
send her an email, a
letter or a note on the
letter they receive and
return it to her. Chair-
man Wood noted that
anyone can apply for
any of the expiring
appointments by writ-
ing the Town Admin-
istrator, though many
of the appointments
TRANSFER STATION HOURS
Tues. & Fri.: i pm-4pm; Sat.: 8am-4pm;
Sun.: 8:30am-2pm
have specific expertise requirements.
Administrator LaBombard presented a
request to route a portion of the Berkshire
Cycling Classic through Sheffield on May
6. After discussion, the Board voted to
grant the request, pending approval by
Police Chief Jim McGarry and Fire Chief
Rick Boardman.
Administrator LaBombard reviewed
the four bids received for a backhoe,
which ranged from $69,000 to $94,990.
She recommended going with the low
bid, from Liftech of Bloomfield, CT,
noting that Highway Superintendent
Ed Lord had approved the equipment as
well as several backhoe attachments. She
recommended purchasing two attach-
ments needed by the Highway Dept., for
a total cost below what voters approved
on the 2011 Warrant. The Board voted to
award the bid to Liftech and to authorize
the Town Administrator and Highway
Superintendent to purchase any needed
attachments within the amount approved
on the warrant.
Following a request from the Conser-
vation Commission, the Board voted to
amend a motion of March 26 to increase
the amount available for a consultant for
a property on Polikoff Road, from $500
to $1,200.
Selectman Smith thanked all who
participated in the recent Kiwanis Stuff
a Bus food drive for local food pantries.
Chairman Wood reviewed the call for
nominations for the Ad Hoc Task Force
to advise the Southern Berkshire School
District's School Committee.
Town Administrator LaBombard
commented on the positive feedback she
had received regarding the recent library
program held for children during school
vacation week.
April 30 regular meeting
The Board discussed which candidates
to recommend to serve on the SBRSD's
Ad Hoc Task Force and decided to send
a letter to the School Committee recom-
mending Mark Bachetti, Jean Emberlin
and Candace Parsons.
The spring Bulky Waste Collection
will be held on May 18, 19 and 20. Resi-
dents holding a FY12 Transfer Station
14
SCHOOL COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS DUE JULY 24
Nomination papers for the Southern Berkshire Regional School District (SBRSD) School Committee are
due back to any of the Town Clerks in the five member towns for certification by July 24. 27 signatures
are required. Papers are available from any of those Town Clerks or the SBRSD clerk, Linda Higgins.
sticker can receive a coupon to dispose of
one pickup truck of waste. Residents that
do not have a sticker may purchase one
from the Tax Collector's Office.
Laura Grunfeld submitted a list of rec-
ommendations on behalf of the Commis-
sion on Disabilities regarding improved
accessibility at the Town Park. Adminis-
trator LaBombard will get a price quote on
a handicap-accessible port-a-potty for the
park from May-October. The remaining
recommendations will be forwarded to the
Park and Recreation Committee.
Trudy Weaver Miller, from the Shef-
field Farmers' Market, introduced Amelia
Wolfe, the Market Manager. The Market
has requested a temporary roadside event
sign permit to be erected Thursday and
removed Friday evening of each week. The
Board voted to grant the permit from May
25 until August 31.
The Board voted to authorize Admin-
istrator LaBombard to sign the agreement
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The Board discussed the renewal
proposal received from Massachusetts
Interlocal Insurance Assoc, for property,
liability and workman's compensation
insurance coverage for FY2013 and
authorized Administrator LaBombard to
sign the agreement for continued insur-
ance coverage.
The Board discussed the Niel property
on County Rd. A member of the Board
will conduct a site visit with the Highway
Superintendent. The issue was tabled.
May 21 working meeting
The Board discussed a 1998 Mas-
sachusetts Land Court case regarding an
appeal of a Zoning Board of Appeals deci-
sion. It decided to follow up with the Land
Court and discuss this at a future meeting.
The Board voted to appoint Joanne
Conti as the Recording Clerk for
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Discussion ensued regarding the
salaries of the clerks for various boards.
The Board voted to raise clerks' hourly rate
to $16 for the Planning Board, Zoning
Board of Appeals and Police Department
(pending approval from the Chief).
The Board discussed a safety issue with
the soap dispensers at the Senior Center.
The Board agreed that Administrator
LaBombard and Senior Center Director
John- Arthur Miller would work together
on a solution.
May 21 meeting
Chairman Rene Wood thanked the vot-
ers for their support at the recent election.
Following the usual yearly reorganization,
the Board voted for Selectman David
Smith, Jr., to serve as Chairman and Select-
man Julie Hannum to serve as Clerk.
The Board discussed the FY2013
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MINUTES j continued from page 7 5
FROM THE ASSESSORS OFFICE
The annual deadline for Chapter 61 A & 6IBApplications is on
or before October I st. NO EXCEPTIONS. If you have any
questions or need information call 229-7000 xl55.
transfer station fees and voted to raise
the rates for FY13 to $175 for a regular
sticker, $120 for a sticker for those 70
years old and above, $10 for a second
sticker, and $30 for a recycling sticker.
The Board then discussed the contract
for the transportation of recyclable paper
and containers, which will expire on June
30. The Board voted to extend the contract
for an additional 12 months to JTC and
Sons, Inc., who has agreed to continue
with the same price of $230 per haul.
The Board voted to amend the contract
expiration date between the Town and
Administrator Rhonda LaBombard from
August 1, 2013, to June 30, 2013.
The Board voted to appoint Thomas
Reynolds to the Highway Dept. as a Truck
Driver/ Laborer/ Equipment Operator,
pending the results of a physical exam.
A letter of resignation from the Shef-
field Cultural Council was received from
Anne Dunn. The Board voted to accept
the letter of resignation and send her a
letter of thanks for her service. The Board
voted to appoint Lori-Beth Amato to the
Commission on Disabilities for a term to
expire June 30, 2014.
The Board discussed forming a Senior
Center Building Committee to review and
update plans to complete the center's lower
level. It decided the committee would
have seven members, one a member of the
Council on Aging chosen by the council
and the others appointed by the Board,
including one Selectman. Anyone inter-
ested on serving on the committee should
submit an email or letter of interest to the
Town Administrator.
Connor Pelkey and Pat Feeley, stu-
dents from Berkshire School, were present
to discuss ICLEI (International Council
for Local Environmental Initiatives) -
Local Governments for Sustainability, an
international non-profit association of
1,220 local government members commit-
ted to sustainable development. The Board
will follow up at a future meeting.
The manager of the Sheffield Farmers'
Market, Amelia Wolfe, was present to
discuss the upcoming season. The Market
will be open from Friday, May 25, through
August 31.
Selectman Wood thanked the Board
for her Chairmanship over the last year.
She announced that the Mt. Everett High
School Library would be dedicated to
Albert Trocchi on May 27.
Selectman Hannum inquired about
the sign for the canoe launch at the Cov-
ered Bridge Park.
Administrator LaBombard announced
that the Massachusetts Department of
Agricultural Resources sent a letter stating
its intent to purchase an Agricultural
Preservation Restriction on approximately
110 acres of land on Lime Kiln Rd. and
Egremont Sheffield Rd. Additionally, it
requested a reduction of the notification
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period from 120 days to 60 days, which
the Board granted. A prior announcement
of intent to purchase an APR of approxi-
mately 354 acres on Lime Kiln and Bow
Wow stated that all the land was in Shef-
field, but approximately one acre is located
in Egremont.
Susan Butler was present to discuss
storage of files in the Town Hall and
submitted a letter to the Board.
June 4 working meeting
The Board discussed possible solutions
for the boarding of stray dogs and decided
to find out what facility was used by sur-
rounding towns.
It discussed a drainage issue on County
Rd. A site visit was scheduled for June 8
for all involved parties.
The Board discussed the paving of
West Rd. and decided to consult with
the Conservation Commission on any
possible wetland issues. It voted to sup-
port state funding for mosquito control.
The Board discussed the formation of
an Innovation School within the SBRSD.
June 4 working meeting with the
Council on Aging at the Senior Center
The meeting discussed the draft ques-
tionnaire to be sent out to all residents.
The Council on Aging will make changes
to the questionnaire and send it to Admin-
istrator LaBombard for approval.
Discussion ensued regarding the
Director's hours and the responsibilities of
the position.
After a discussion about use of the
Senior Center, it was decided that. Admin-
istrator LaBombard will schedule a meeting
between the Library Trustees, the Council
on Aging and the Board of Selectman.
In a discussion about the Senior Cen-
ter Building Committee, it was decided
that Administrator LaBombard and John-
Continued on page 18
COMMISSION ON
DISABILITIES
The Commission on Disabilities will
start a new speaker series on Oct. 1 8,
as part of the Senior Center's Third
Thursday Luncheon. The topic will
be "Resources and Aids for Hearing
Impairments." Lunch begins at noon
and the talk around 12:30. Further
details will be in the next issue.
The Commission meets on one
Friday a month at 3:30pm at the
Library.The schedule for the next
three months: July 20, Aug. 24, Sept. 21.
Meetings are open to the public.
Questions can be directed to any
member of the Commission (Laura
Grunfeld, David Wells, Claudia Martin,
Gail Mullen or Lori-Beth Amato).
Any resident of Sheffield interested
in joining the Commission or who
needs information about services in
South County for people with dis-
abilities can contact Laura Grunfeld at
229-2476 or laura@everyonesinvited.
com. Anyone who needs accommoda-
tions at a Town event should contact
Rhonda LaBombard at LaBombard@
sheffieldma.gov or 229-7000 xl 52.
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FROM THE TOWN CLERK'S OFFICE
Elections and voter registration. We are gearing up for the
final two elections of this year:
Thurs., Sept. 6: State Primary
lues., Nov. 6: State/ Presidential Election
Check your voter status! You can register or change party
status up to 20 days before an election, which makes the next
deadline Fri., Aug. 17. The office will be open until 8pm.
All elections will be held at the Senior Center on Cook Rd.
Important notice about voter registration. You might
receive what looks like a universal voter registration form from
the Voter Participation Center, which has been promoting voter
registration throughout the U.S. Some of these forms have
inaccurate pre-printed data. The Secretary of the Common-
wealth has determined that we may accept these forms. But be
sure to look it over carefully. If you have any questions regard-
ing your voter status, contact my office as soon as possible.
Dog licensing. Please remember that if you have a dog six
months of age or older, or if you reside in Sheffield at least 30
days of the year, you are required to license your dog. The fees
are $10 for intact dogs, $5 for spayed/neutered dogs. Licensing
takes place annually from March 1 to May 1. A fine of $25 per
dog will be imposed after the deadline.
If you have a new dog, it can be licensed anytime of year at
the regular rate. With proof of rabies and spay/neuter status,
you can mail in your request. Make checks payable to the Town
of Sheffield, and mail to Town Clerk, P.O. Box 175, Sheffield
MA 01257. Please include a self- addressed, stamped envelope.
— Felecie Joyce, Town Clerk
17
«
Village Green
MINUTES, continued from page J 7
Arthur Miller, the Senior Center Director,
will serve as ex- officio members.
June 4 regular meeting
The Board voted to appoint Steven
Hyer, Mark Robitaille and Robert Kilmer
as probationary members of the Fire Dept.
as recommended by Chief Boardman.
Paul O'Brien submitted a letter of resig-
nation from the Five Town Cable Advisory
Committee and the Housing Commission.
The Board voted to accept the resignation
and send him a letter of thanks.
The Board discussed the cable commit-
tee. The Board voted to temporarily appoint
Selectman Wood as a member.
Administrator LaBombard read a list
of applicants and vacancies for FY 2013.
Action on the appointments will take place
at the next meeting.
The Board approved a curb cut appli-
cation submitted by Donald and Nancy
Perry for 10 Bow Wow Rd.
The Selectmen congratulated the 67
students who graduated from Mt. Everett
High School, along with the Monument
Mountain and Berkshire Community
College graduates.
Selectman Wood presented the draft
of a followup letter regarding S.2214, an
act relative to competitively priced electric-
ity in the Commonwealth. The Board
voted to send the letter as presented.
Police Chief James McGarry submit-
ted his note of retirement, effective July 31,
2012. [See story, page 1.]
George Oleen was present to discuss
markers on soldiers' graves in various
cemeteries and the care of the cemeter-
ies. The Board decided to research the
responsibilities of a Veteran's Grave
Officer and the formation of a Cemetery
Commission.
Susan Butler was present to discuss an
amplification unit for the upstairs meeting
room in the Town Hall.
PAINT AND OIL RECYCLING
Sheffield residents can recycle old oil
paint, stains, paint thinners, turpentine
and waste motor oil onTues.July 10,
from 4:30-6:30pm at the Lenox Dept.
of Public Works, 275 Main St.
You can dispose of hazardous
household waste on Sat., July 2 1, from
9am to noon at the Lee Waste Water
Treatment Facility, 379 Pleasant St.
Acceptable materials include the items
above, plus roofing tar, pool chemicals,
insecticides, fertilizers, drain cleaner,
as well as mercury thermometers,
propane tanks (up to three free) and
batteries, button and rechargeable.
Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires
will be on hand to accept computers,
monitors and peripherals, as well as
clothing items.TVs will be accepted for
a fee of $ 10 and up, depending on size.
Latex paint is not accepted at
either event. Empty or dried-up cans
of latex or oil-based paint can be
disposed with the regular trash.
For more information, call the
Center for Ecological Technology at
888-577-8448 ext. 30 or 14, email
aric.brown@cetonline.org or visit
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CONSERVATION COMMISSION: April & May meetings
At the April 9 meeting, the Conservation
Commission held a public hearing on
a Request for Determination of Appli-
cability of wetlands regulations filed by
the Sheffield Land Trust for property
on Boardman St,, for eradication of
non-native plant species with approved
herbicides. The property has agricultural
fields, a canoe launch and a vernal pool
that is presently dry.
Jess Toro and Sari Hoy of Native
Habitat Restoration were present for
the applicant. The invasive species on the
property include knotweed, multiflora
rose, honeysuckle and bittersweet, which
will be cut and mulched to minimize
herbicide use. Herbicides will be applied
to cut stumps in the wetlands and to leaves
and cut stumps in the buffer zone. Moni-
toring to evaluate the treatment's success
will continue for three years.
The Commission found that the
regulations did not apply, with Don Ward
abstaining because he is on the board of
the Sheffield Land Trust.
At the April 23 meeting, a public
hearing on a Request for Determination
of Applicability, was held for Peter Walsh
and property on Berkshire School Rd.,
for tree clearing and vista pruning between
the 50- and 100-foot wetland buffers.
Mark Reynolds of Kelly, Granger and
Parsons and the applicant, Peter Walsh,
were present. Walsh wants to put in a
house and septic in an area outside of the
buffer zone but first wants to do selective
clearing in the buffer zone. Silt fencing will
be put along the buffer. Walsh wants to
put stumps into a depression to the side of
the property that is within the buffer.
The Commission asked for the 100-
foot buffer and the trees to be removed to
be marked and scheduled a site visit.
At the May 14 meeting, a public
hearing on a Request for Determination
of Applicability was held for Berkshire
School and property on 245 North
Undermountain Rd*, for construction
of a handicapped ramp at the Stanley Dor-
mitory in the center of campus to allow
access in accordance with the Americans
with Disabilities Act. The school would
like to begin work in June while the
students are away.
Michael Kulig of Berkshire Engineer-
ing, Inc. was present for the applicant. A
stream runs through a pipe underneath
the building, and the ramp will be at the
50-foot wetlands buffer line.
The Commission stated that it had no
issues with regard to proximity of wet-
lands. However, as there is an endangered
species in this area, Natural Heritage must
be contacted.
In the April and May meetings, a
public hearing was opened on a Notice
of Intent filed by Wesley McCain for
property on 400 East Rd., for an aquatic
management program on McCain Pond.
The pond is four feet deep, and the plants
have been taking over.
Michael Lennon of Aquatic Control
Technology was present for the applicant.
The proposed program should improve
circulation in the pond, lack of which has
caused algae problems. Glyphosate and
diquat will target ribbon leaf pond weed
and water shield. The Dept. of Environ-
mental Protection approves these aquatic
herbicides, and they aren't known to
adversely affect fish.
After a site visit, the Commission
expressed reservations regarding the
use of aquatic herbicides, but as they
are approved by the DEP, it has limited
recourse in the matter. The Commission
would like to see town bylaws regulat-
ing these chemicals and will speak to the
Board of Selectman regarding the proce-
dure for instituting new bylaws. The Com-
mission asked Jane Winn of the Berkshire
Environmental Action Team to provide
them with recent research. The Com-
mission also agreed to speak to Aquatic
Control Technology regarding devising
a long-range management program that
does not include chemicals. The public
hearing was then continued.
At the April 23 meeting, Kathy
Orlando of the Sheffield Land Trust
made a presentation about naming the
Conservation Commission a co-holder on
a conservation restriction on 85 acres
along West Rd,
Orlando stated that a $485,000 Land-
scape Partnership Grant can help protect
this and a nearby property. The grant
requires that the state or town agency
where the property is located has an inter-
est in it. The grant will also help preserve
Bow Wow Farm on Bow Wow and Lime
Kiln Rds. Action must be taken by the
end of June. The Commission stated it will
Continued on pape 20
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Village Green
CONSERVATION COMMISSION, from page 19
consult with the Town and schedule a time
to walk the property.
In the April meetings, the possible vio-
lations on property of Edward Ustico, on
PolikofFRd., continued to be discussed.
The Commission hired Gail Palmer, a
former consultant to the Commission, to
walk the property and interpret the previ-
ous consultant's report. That took place
on April 17, along with Ustico.
The site did not appear to be in as bad
condition as originally thought. An area on
the road by the bog has soil erosion. There
are piles of construction debris and soil in
the floodplain. Ustico agreed to make res-
torations, so the Commission chose to is-
sue a "friendly" enforcement order. He was
advised on how to repair the erosion and
remove the debris, work that must be com-
pleted by May 11. Topsoil and other ma-
terials must be removed from the flood-
plain or compensatory storage created by
Sept. 21.
The Commission voted to issue the
enforcement order. With the resource
areas clearly defined, Ustico can do what
he wishes in the other areas, but any
projects he wishes to do in wetland areas
must be brought before the Commission.
He can continue using the road as long as
there is no erosion into the bog area. Any
storm damaged trees in the wetlands area
can be removed.
It was reported at the May meeting,
however, that Ustico said he never received
the enforcement order, which was sent by
certified mail. Neighbors contacted the
Commission to say he had not removed
the pile of debris from the floodplain,
only "moved it around ". The Commission
decided to email the enforcement order
to Ustico and contact him in one week to
make a site visit.
In other business in the April and
May meetings:
The permits for aquatic management
for both Mill Pond and Fawn Lake were
automatically extended for two years.
To evaluate the request for a Certificate
of Compliance by Judith Schnurr for
property on Bow Wow and Cook Rd*,
the Commission did a site visit. The coffer
dam and sluice way were working well and
all was satisfactory. The Comission issued
the certificate.
The Commission agreed that on the
same day as the site visit on the Ustico
property, they would look at the culvert
Charles Joyce had installed on County
Rd v because it did not seem to appear as
it should.
Julie Berriault of 189 Kelsey Rd.
contacted the Commission and stated
that maple trees on her property that
she believed were in the buffer zone were
dying. She believed this was a result of
herbicidal treatments she had done on
her property to get rid of invasive species.
The Commission stated that they would
contact her and schedule a site visit.
Howard Chezar reported on a seminar
on climate change at the Massachusetts
Association of Conservation Commis-
sions annual meeting. As temperatures
rise and precipitation amounts change,
the subsurface water level has risen. Older
septic systems will no longer be safe,
and culverts will no longer be adequate.
FEMA flood-plain maps will no longer be
accurate. It will be more important than
ever to encourage the formation of land
restrictions to create buffer areas to help
control flooding.
Jane Winn of the Berkshire Envi-
ronmental Action Team was present to
discuss upgrading bridges and culverts to
meet the Massachusetts River and Stream
Crossing Standards. Ed Lord of the
Highway Dept. was invited but unable to
attend. Winn stated that her organization
is working with the Housatonic Valley
Association to evaluate bridges and cul-
verts in the area. A bridge or culvert that's
1.2 times the width of the stream seems
to work best with respect to resisting
washouts from floods. Ideally, there should
be bank on either side so that animals can
pass. Span bridges with open bottoms are
the best choice for stream crossings, with
embedded bridges being the next best.
Winn asked the Commission for any
input they may have regarding crossings
that have been washed out. Replacing
crossings on perennial streams requires
filing an application with the Army Corp
of Engineers. If their standards are met,
a stream replacement will be considered
Category 1, which is the simplest. If stan-
dards are not met, the process becomes
more complicated with additional paper-
work needing to be filed.
The Commission approved an emer-
gency certification for National Grid to
excavate in a vegetative wetlands area near
a residence at 1050 County Rd. A pull
box must be installed to repair an under-
ground electrical line, a public safety issue.
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Lois Van Cleef
Casa Mia Studio
Ashley Falls, Massachusetts
413/229-3355
20
Organizations & Businesses
WATER TANK PROJECT COMPLETED
The Sheffield Water Co. has now received
final approval from the state departments
of Public Utilities and Environmental
Protect for completion of improvements
to its system. The Water Co. laid 5,100
feet of new pipe and mains, installed five
new hydrants and built a 211,000-gallon
storage tank, which allows the company
to hold the mandatory two-day emer-
gency water supply.
"I would like to thank everyone
who helped with this project, whether
they attended a hearing, sent a letter of
support or served on a committee," said
Beth Bartholomew, president of the
company. "I especially want to thank the
Sheffield Board of Selectmen, the Town
Administrators Joe Kellogg and Rhonda
LaBombard, and our State Representa-
tive William "Smitty" Pignatelli."
Beth credits Pignatelli with helping
the company obtain the 2 percent interest
loan that enabled the work to be done.
"Smitty worked tirelessly to convince
the state board that controlled the funds
to help us," she said. "He, with the help
of State Treasurer Stephen Grossman,
started the funds flowing."
On June 1, Pignatelli came to Shef-
field to see the completed tank, the day
the company put the tank on line. "We
toasted with water from the tank and cut
a ribbon celebrating the completion of the
three-year project," said Beth.
Smitty Pignatelli and Beth Bartholomew by the new tank. Above, inside the tank.
WIGHTMAN STEPS DOWN
AS CONSTRUCT PRESIDENT
After 5/2 years of service, because of
term limits, Marilyn Wightman is step-
ping down as president of Construct,
Inc., a nonprofit corporation located
at 4 1 Mahaiwe St. in Great Barrington.
Construct provides housing, support
and educational service to anyone in
the Southern Berkshires who has lost
his or her home or who lacks financial
resources to maintain safe, decent and
affordable housing.
Marilyn will continue to serve on
the board, along with four other Shef-
field residents: Peter Cherneff.John
James, Paul Moritz and Annie Ryder.
Cherneff, an attorney, has guided a
process to help the Board re-write
its by-laws. James, an architect, has
assisted with evaluating property for
development. Moritz and Ryder are
recent additions to the Board. Moritz
is president of Aquatic Design on Rt.
7. Ryder is the pastor and rector of
Christ Church Episcopal & Trinity
Lutheran Church. In addition, June
Wolfe, a Sheffield farmer, is property
manager for Construct's Pine Woods
project, which provides 30 mixed-
income housing units in Stockbridge.
Sheffield is second only to Great
Barrington in the number of people
seeking help from Construct.
In 201 1, the organization fielded
6,200 phone calls for help from South
County residents looking for imme-
diate housing, locating permanent
housing or help with food stamps
or financial aid for utility and fuel
expenses.That year 48 homeless
adults were sheltered, three-quarters
of them successfully placed in per-
manent housing. They also obtained
jobs. Those with mental health and
substance abuse issues took part in
treatment programs.
NEWS FROM THE SHEFFIELD BOY SCOUTS
The end of the school year ends Troop 28's weekly meet-
ings. Since Senior Patrol Leader Hunter Lucey heads off to
college this summer, it also marks the end of his term as
troop leader.
Awards. In a recent flurry of awards, five young men
finished their swimming merit badge requirements, two fin-
ished the family life badge requirements, and individual scouts
received badges in chemistry, theater and crafts. Four scouts
advanced in rank.
Outings. In May, the scouts, including our two youngest
scouts, participated in a five-mile hike and overnight from
the Mount Washington parking lot. One scout visited the
District's Scouting Camporee in Lee, and most everybody
marched in their town's Memorial Day parade. In June they
hiked 20-plus miles in three days on the Appalachian Trail.
They worked together on a weekend-long service project.
One scout will be heading to National Youth Leader Training
for the week. In July seven scouts will attend summer camp
for a week, and plans are underway for a five-day August
campout.
The Troop will resume its meetings the last week in
August — Wednesdays at 7pm at the American Legion Hall.
21
%
Organizations & Businesses
COBBLE NEWS: SUMMER ON SHEFFIELD'S HOUSATONIC
What better way is there to spend a
summer's day in Sheffield than on the
river? I have canoed lots of this mighty
waterway, but the best stretch by far is
from the Covered Bridge to Rannapo
Rd. This nine-mile stretch undulates
back and forth in deep meanders. I
usually budget at least four hours for
the trip. I pack a lunch, beverages, sun-
screen and my bathing suit. Everyone
I have taken has enjoyed themselves
immensely.
Of course this section parallels Route
7, but you wouldn't know it once you're
down on the water. Tucked beneath the
embankments, you feel like you're the
only one for miles around. Occasionally
a house can be seen, but for the most
part it is you and nature. And what an
abundance of that! On a recent trip, I
saw — to name just a few — a bald eagle,
a great blue heron, a red-tailed hawk, a
black vulture, kingfisher, bank swallows,
The Housatonic near the Covered Bridge.
wood ducks, killdeer, beaver, muskrat,
a snapping turtle, a painted turtle and
humongous carp.
It is a wild stretch, with downed trees
and logjams the size of houses. Some-
times you have to get out and do a tiny
portage to skirt a fallen tree, but that just
cools your feet. Besides, it's worth stop-
ping from time to time to look and listen.
Songbirds fill the treetops and shorebirds
the sandy beaches. Several species of
ducks and herons are your company, the
wind and the paddle carving through
water your music.
Of course, on a sunny weekend you
could mow your lawn, shop for new
sneakers, buy groceries or go to the trans-
fer station. But why would you do any of
that with the most gorgeous of rivers in
your back yard? Your old sneakers will
easily last another month or two.
— Rene Wendell
The Sheffield farmers' Market
Moon in the Pond farm, ttowden farm,
Your Spice of Life, Equinox farm, Berkshire
Mountain Bakery, Earthborn Garden, Bill's Busy
Bees, Chubby Bunny, Ingleside farm,
ttosta Hill Provisions, Community Cooperative
farm, The Amazing Real Live food Company,
Bizalion's Olive Oils, and more!
LIVE MUSIC!
* LOCAL fOODS: Meat & eggs * Vegetables & fruit
* Salad greens & herbs * fresh baked breads.
focaccia & cookies * Dips, spreads & spices * Prepared
foods & delicacies * Maple syrup, cut flowers, seedlings
* Seasonal specialties & handmade gifts
fridays 2:30—6:30 pm
Through August 31
RAIN or SHINE
Old Parish Church parking lot
Main St. -Route 7
www.thesheffieldfarmersmarket.com
Healthy farms. Healthy food. Healthy You
SHOP LOCAL
Fluke, Flea, and FireFly Ukuleles
made right here in Sheffield!
Seconds available;
gift certificates and ukulele lessons, too.
Sign up for ukulele lessons, group and private,
with local musical favorite Rob Sanzone.
Call 413-229-8536 to find out more.
The Magic Fluke Company, LLC
292 S. Main Street, Sheffield MA 01257
www.Magicfluke.com
22
MUMBET DAY AT ASHLEY HOUSE
Massachusetts history comes alive at the
Ashley House on Mumbet/ Elizabeth
Freeman Day Tues., Aug. 21 from 5 to
7pm. Events for this year's celebration
of Elizabeth Freeman, also known as
Mumbet, the slave who successfully sued
for her freedom in 1781, include a book
signing with authors of recent books
about her, a living history performance
with Tammy Denease, the reading of a
proclamation honoring Mumbet and a
barbecue picnic.
Mumbet (c. 1744-1829) was enslaved
in the Sheffield home of Colonel John
Ashley. After hearing discussion of
America's desire for freedom from the
British, Mumbet walked four miles from
the Ashley House to the Sheffield home
of Theodore Sedgwick, a young attorney,
and asked him to represent her in a suit
for her freedom. Her successful suit,
settled in court in Great Barrington on
Aug. 21, 1781, set the stage for the aboli-
tion of slavery in Massachusetts.
Upon gaining her freedom, Mumbet
took the name of Elizabeth Freeman and
went with her daughter to work for the
Sedgwick family, first in Sheffield, then
in Stockbridge. She was respected as a
skilled and caring nurse and midwife and
lived the last 21 years of her life in her
own home with her daughter, grandchil-
dren and great-grandchildren. She died
in 1829 and is buried in the Sedgwick
family plot in Stockbridge, next to the
novelist Catharine Sedgwick.
Freeman was quoted as saying, "Any
time, any time, while I was a slave, if one
minute's freedom had been offered to me,
and I had been told I must die at the end
of that minute, I would have taken it, just
to stand one minute on God's earth a free
woman, I would."
The Ashley House, a property of
The Trustees of Reservations, is an
"anchor site" for the African American
A re-enactor at the Ashley House.
Heritage trail, which encompasses 29
Massachusetts and Connecticut towns in
the Upper Housatonic Valley National
Heritage Area. It is located at 117 Coo-
per Hill Rd. in Ashley Falls. For more
information about the open house and
ceremony, visit www.TheTrustees.org or
call 413-298-3239, ext. 3013.
COBBLE AND ASHLEY HOUSE EVENTS
Summer Tours at Ashley House
Saturdays and Sundays at I and 2pm.
Learn about Elizabeth Freeman on a guided tour of one of
the oldest houses still standing in the Berkshires, an anchor
site of the African American Heritage Trail. Also told is the
story of Colonel John Ashley, a freedom fighter in another
sense. Members: free. Nonmembers: adult $5; child (ages 1 2
and under) free. Special group tours available upon request.
Call for more information.
Up Close: Snakes and Turtles
Sat., July 7, lOam-noon.
With Trustees of Reservations naturalist Rene Wendell,
search for our friends, the snakes and turtles. Learn how
to safely handle these critters and discover their habits and
homes. Ages 6 and up. Members: adult/child $4; family $ 1 2.
Nonmembers: adult/child $6; family $ 1 5. Pre-register at rwen-
dell@ttor.org or 229-8600.
Sunday Canoe Trips
July 8, 1 5, 22, 29 and Aug. 1 2, 1 9, 26, 8:30- 1 1 :30am.
Paddle the winding Housatonic as it passes through
agricultural fields and floodplain forests. Watch for bald
eagles over the Cobble. With your guide, learn about the
river's history and what is happening to restore it. Paddles,
life preservers and boats are provided. Members: adult $24;
child ( 1 0- 1 6) $ 1 0. Nonmembers: adult $30; child (10-16)
$ 1 5. Please pre-register.
Common Ferns of the Cobble
Sat., Aug. 4, lOam-noon.
Learn about these wondrous plants with naturalist Ed Neu-
muth.The Cobble is famous for its ferns, one of the greatest
concentrations of species in the country. Members: $5. Non-
members: $8. Please pre-register
Up Close: Live Birds of Prey with Tom Ricardi
Sun., Aug. 5, lOam-noon.
Join wildlife rehabilitatorTom Ricardi to meet in person the
hawks, owls and a bald eagle that he cares for. Members: adult
$8; child (6- 1 2) $4. Nonmembers: adult $ 1 0; child (6- 1 2) $5.
Pre-register at rwendell@ttor.org or 229-8600.
The Buzz about Native Pollinators
Sat., Aug. 18, lOam-noon.
Learn how bees, flies and wasps benefit our lives and how
you can help them back. Members: adult/child $4; family $12.
Nonmembers: adult/child $6; family $ 1 5. Pre-register at rwen-
dell@ttor.org or 229-8600.
Mumbet/Elizabeth Freeman Day
Tues., Aug. 2 1 , 5-7pm
The Trustees of Reservations manage Bartholomew's Cobble, a National Natural
Landmark, on Weatogue Rd. in Ashley Falls. It's open year-round, daily, sunrise to
sunset. The Visitor's Center is open from 9am-4pm Tuesday-Saturday during winter.
Regular admission is free for members of The Trustees of Reservations and Sheffield
Non-members: $5 adult, $1 child. Call 229-8600 or email bcobble@ttor.org.
23
%
Organizations & Businesses
KIWANIS NEWS & EVENTS
Cruise raffle. Choose any winter month
to sail away for a nine-day Caribbean
cruise for two on the Norwegian Gem if
you have the winning ticket in Kiwanis'
Second Annual Cruise Raffle. Tickets are
now on sale for $20 each. The trip leaves
from New York, with stops in Puerto Rico,
St. Maarten, St. Thomas and the Domini-
can Republic.
The Grand Prize includes $500 cash
spending money (and travel to Manhattan,
if needed). Second prize is $1,000 cash.
The drawing happens at the Kiwanis and
Fire Dept.'s Steak Roast on Sat., Aug. 25.
Tickets are available from Kiwanis
members and all of our regular business
oudets in Sheffield and Great Barrington.
All aboard!
Scholarships. At the Kiwanis annual
Scholarship Picnic in the Town Park on
June 5, awards totaling over $31,000 were
presented to area students. Eleven gradu-
ating seniors received financial aid — five
from Mt. Everett High School, five from
Monument Mountain and one from
Berkshire School. Continued support was
also given to 18 college students to assist in
their on-going education.
Sheffield-area graduates include Erin
Blackwell, Hunter Lucey Rose Nelson,
Samantha Swartz and Rachel Ullrich.
Tyler Ferrusi,Jeff Lowenstein, Stephanie
Mac Leay, Alexis Ovitt, Jake Raifstanger
and Lillian Silk were collegiate winners.
The students, their family members
and Kiwanians then enjoyed hamburgers,
hot dogs, salads and desserts at the picnic
tables in the Dwight Ford Pavilion. Anita
Diller heads the Scholarship committee.
Eliminate tetanus. The sale of wrist-
bands for the Kiwanis/UNICEF Project
Eliminate continues at a surprisingly good
pace. Sales and pledges thus far equal
nearly 1,000 lives saved! The proceeds
buy the three injections for mothers and
newborns in underdeveloped countries
to prevent death from maternal neo-natal
tetanus. You can save a life for only $1.80!
Several area churches have joined the
cause as our project leader Cynthia Pease
continues to seek additional support. The
wristbands are available from Kiwanis
members and several business venues in
Sheffield and Great Barrington.
On the roads. The ladder sign that
was destroyed in an accident has been
replaced at Hewins St. Our monthly Lit-
ter Patrol continues to clean the by-ways
of Route 7 between the National Grid
parking lot and Kellogg Rd.
Memorial Day. Kiwanis members
assisted in honoring former member Al
Trocchi over Memorial Day by providing
the food and refreshment at the Trocchi
home after the library at the high school
was dedicated in Al's memory. Thanks
to Al's son, Mark, and cheers to Patricia
Hardisty and her committee for organiz-
ing the event.
Playgrounds, On June 9, the "Chips
In" project completed its playground safety
campaign by spreading the wood chips at
Muddy Brook Elementary and Monument
Valley Middle Schools. Ten Key Club
members with their advisor (from Monu-
ment Mountain High School) joined the
SHEFFIELD DISTILLERY RATED
#1 BY NEWYORK TIMES
Berkshire Mountain Distillers, located
off Home Rd., was one of several
small distilleries whose gins were
rated by Eric Asimov and his guest-
tasters Florice Fabricant and Julia
Moskin in a June 13 article in the New
YorkTimes. Greylock Gin topped the
ratings with three stars and at $28
a bottle was also named the "best
value." "Light, subtle and complex,
dominated by classic flavors of juniper,
citrus and coriander," said the tasters.
Berkshire Mountain also makes other
spirits, which are available at Guido's
and other stores.
team of Kiwanians to wheelbarrow, shovel
and rake the new wood chips into place.
Golf. Our thanks to the individuals
and businesses that sponsored our June
15 Golf Tournament at the Egremont
Country Club. The committee (including
Aidan Gilligan, Rose Seward, Fred and
Cathy Finkle, and Dave Smith, Jr.) express
appreciation to the players and to the
club members who worked the event and
prepared appetizers.
Choral Festival. Kiwanis will again
work at the Berkshire Choral Festival
on the Berkshire School campus. Start-
ing Sun., July 8, our club runs a cocktail
bar for the singers as they prepare for
each of the four weekly concerts. For the
Saturday audiences, Kiwanis directs the
parking and staffs the concession stand
for food and libation.
Steak roast. The annual Steak Roast
sponsored by Kiwanis and the Sheffield
Hose Company will move its date to Sat.,
Aug. 25, this year. The cookout, silent
auction, entertainment and cruise raffle
drawing all happen at the Fire House
between 4:30 and 7pm. Watch for more
publicity and ticket sales information as
the event draws closer.
Trailer travels. The Kiwanis Cafe,
our food trailer, is finishing up the Little
League season. The mobile unit continues
to be booked for other events, such as
the horse shows at French Park in North
Egremont. Any group that would like
the trailer to serve at its event need only
contact Debbie Wright at 229-7728 or
email debwright@wildblue.net, and our
wheels will be there staffed with those
willing to serve! — Dick Goodwin
24
SILENT AUCTION ITEMS
HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWS & EVENTS
out the fun (see the box at right).
An RSVP form is available on our
website, www.shefHeldhistory.org, or stop
in the Old Stone Store (open Saturday
and Sunday from 11 to 3) for more
Summer fun* Having finished up our
winter season with beautiful photographs
by Fred Harwood at our annual General
Meeting & Ice Cream Social, the His-
torical Society is ready for summer and
ready to party — a Summer Garden Party, information. All proceeds benefit the
that is! Our summer fundraiser will be Historical Society and help us preserve
held in the glorious gardens of Netherby our history and heritage here in Sheffield
Hall, home of Vera and Rusty Mott. The Thanks to Salisbury Bank and Berkshire
historic Federal-style house on Rt. 7 was Bank for being our gracious co-sponsors
built by Colonel Aaron Root in 1780
and named after the estate in Sir Walter
Scott's poem"Lochinvar." For more than
two centuries Netherby Hall has been the
home of only two extended families.
The Summer Party will be held
Sun., July 15, from 3 to 6pm. Tickets are
$40 per person. A flute/guitar duo will
provide music. The offerings are "elegant"
appetizers and red and white wine as well
as prosecco. A silent auction will round
of this event.
At the Stone Store, While you are
visiting the Old Stone Store, take a look
at all the wonderful new items on sale as
well as some old favorites. And spend a
few minutes to enjoy our current exhibit,
"Plains, Trains & Automobiles: Vacation-
ing in Sheffield 1895-1920," featuring
photographs by Carrie Smith Lorraine.
Coming up, as a tribute to this election
year, Paul Banevicius will present an exhibit
entitled "Drawing the Line:
Political Cartoons in America."
Paul will expand on his well-
received March talk by sharing
a wide range of cartoon images,
some humorous, some poignant
and some downright nasty!
A successful tournament.
Many thanks to all participants
in this year's (first!) Annual
Golf Tournament, held June 8
at the Egremont Country Club,
and especially to our corporate
sponsors, Custom Extrusion
and Joe Wilkinson & Sons
The exhibit at the Stone Store features photos of what is Excavating, and our Tee 8C
was like to vacation in Sheffield 100 years ago. Green Sponsors, Carlson Heat-
Garden package: $ 1 00 certificate from
Ward's Nursery, a 90-minute consulta-
tion with Tom Ingersoll and 12 hours
of joyful toiling for the garden or yard
by the Garden Goddesses.
Diorama by Paul B: He will come
to your home, take photos and mea-
surements and then reproduce your
house in miniature.
Pamper Thyself:The Great Escape
Package from Body and Soul Day Spa
(includes massage, facial, body pol-
ish treatment, manicure, pedicure, a
luncheon provided by Body and Soul
and a $ 1 00 gift certificate from the
Marketplace at Guido's)
One-of-a-kind ukulele from the
Magic Fluke, including case, tuner,
ukulele music and a one-hour private
lesson.
Catered dinner for four by the
Hungry Hen.
Vacation cottage in Harwich Port
on Cape Cod for one week.
ing, Carlson Propane, Catherine Miller,
James Miller, Christ Episcopal Trinity
Lutheran Church, DeVries Building
Supply, Gulotta's Mobil, Kimball Fuel Oil
8c Propane, the Marketplace Cafe, Rene
Wood and Harry Conklin. The tourna-
ment helped support the many activities
and programs of the Historical Society,
including an annual scholarship. Congrat-
ulations to this year's scholarship winner,
Brittany Siter!
And thanks to all of you, our support-
ers and members, for continued help in
our mission to promote a wider under-
standing of the people and events that
preceded us in this area, and to preserve
and transmit that heritage to current and
future generations. — Barbara Dowling
CARL VAN DEUSEN
ELECTRICIAN - MA LIC. #36403E
HEATING /AIR CONDITIONING
MA LIC. #BU024769 / CT LIC. #353948
OVER 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN THE TRADES
ZENEX CENTRAL VACUUM SYSTEMS
AUTHORIZED DISTRIBUTOR - SALES, SERVICE,
INSTALLATION
PHONE: 413-229-8624
DOMINICK & DOMINICK LLC
Pamela Bloodworth
Financial Advisor
Investments
150 E. 52 nd Street 2125588820
3 rd floor 800 221 2869
New York, NY 10022 212 750 6475 fax
pbloodworth@dominickanddominick.com
413 229 3530 by app't Fridays
25
LAND TRUST HELPS CONSERVE TWO MORE FAMILY FARMS
In June, the Sheffield Land Trust
helped Sheffield families save two more
long-time Sheffield farms, through the
Massachusetts Agricultural Preservation
Restriction (APR) program. This state
program purchases development rights
on farmland, allowing families to get the
value of their land without having to give
up its farming use.
Bow Wow Farm, The Land Trust is
"pre-acquiring" the APR for 268 acres of
this farm on Bow Wow and Lime Kiln
Rds. The state will purchase the APR
from the Land Trust in the coming year,
which gives the Land Trust time to raise
the remaining funds needed.
Bow Wow Farm, in the middle of the
"Sheffield-Egremont Corridor," has been
owned by the Chase family for generations
and for nearly 40 years has been farmed by
the Pothui family. After Mary Chase died,
her siblings, who owned the farm with her,
wanted to protect the farm and are making
a major contribution and taking back a
promissory note to finance the project.
Next steps will include members of
the Pothui family being able to purchase
the barns and houses and eventually the
farmland. As owners rather than tenants,
the Pothuls will have the capability to
make improvements to the houses and
barns that they didn't have before.
In addition, the Land Trust is
facilitating protection of 96.5 acres of
the farm's woods and wetlands along
Willard Brook by the Dept. of Fisheries
and Wildlife. It is also buying 1 V2 acres
under and around the farmhouse across
from the barns. The land will eventually
be held by the Community Land Trust in
the Berkshires, with a 99 -year renewable
and inheritable lease on the farmhouse
going to a member of the Pothui family.
The Land Trust will have until next
year to raise the $150,000 remaining of
the total project cost of $2-plus million.
Stookey gift of land. To extend the
wildlife corridor along Hubbard Brook,
John and Catherine Stookey donated
nearly a dozen acres along the brook to the
Land Trust, which will convey the land to
the state for long-term management. This
donation, together with the Bow Wow
Farm project and a neighboring conserva-
tion restriction, enabled the Land Trust to
qualify for a $485,000 grant.
River Lea Farm, As was described in
the last issue, this farm covers nearly 300
acres between Boardman St. and the Hou-
satonic River north of Covered Bridge Lane.
It's part of the Land Trusts "Housatonic
River Corridor" initiative. Rosa and Marin
Brunnscheiler operated it as a dairy until
the mid 1980s thereafter having horses and
leased the fields to other farmers.
River Lea Farm has now been perma-
nently protected. At the end of June, the
Land Trust facilitated the sale of an APR
for the Brunnschweilers and the purchase
of the protected farm by the Aragis of Pine
Island Farm - adding essential cropland
to feed Pine Island's dairy herd (it is the
largest dairy farm in Massachusetts). The
farmhouse, which the Aragis also bought,
will be used for farmworker housing. The
Land Trust must raise $150,000 toward
the $1 million total project cost.
To donate or for information, contact
the Land Trust at P.O. Box 940, Sheffield,
MA 01257, 229-0234, shelfand@bcn.net,
www.sheffieldland.org.
SHEFFIELD POTTERY
H xpect the (^jnexpected.
(Contemporary /\mencan /V^ lottery
for }jome ; the (jarden and the j able...
Our Big Holiday
Sale Is on!!!
Order Online at
www.AmericanMadePottery.com
Toil-Free 888.774-2529
ain St- Sheffield MA 1 157
119-7/00 x! +
26
Calendar Page
July
4 INDEPENDENCE DAY
5 Book club (p. I I)
10 Recycling (p. 18)
15 Historical Society Garden Party (p. 25)
21 Recycling (p. 18)
21 Church Fair (p. 4)
August
2 Book club (p. II)
4 Church Fair (p. 12)
1 Antiques show (also Aug. II & 1 2, p. 7)
10 Cornfest (p. 9)
/ 5 Deadline for the SEPTEMBER!
OCTOBER Sheffield Times
21 Mumbet/Elizabeth Freeman Day (p. 23)
September
3 LABOR DAY
6 Bookclub (p. II)
6 STATE PRIMARY ELECTION
8 Sheffield Fair (p. 7)
See also the listings for Music & More (p. 5),
Senior Center (p. 13), Bartholomew's Cobble
(p. 23), Kiwanis (p. 24)
Buy local, read local!
Please contribute!
NEW ONLINE COMMUNITY CALENDAR
The Sheffield Association is pleased to announce that it's sponsoring
a new Sheffield Community Calendar for public events in the towns
of Sheffield and Ashley Falls, to begin on July I. To view the online
calendar, go to www.localendar.com/public/SheffieldCalendar.
To submit information to be posted on the calendar, send an
email to SheffieldCommunityCalendar@gmail.com.
Please include the following information: Name of event; date;
address of location; contact email, phone, or website; admission
costs, if any; sponsoring organization; brief description of event.
Information may be edited for space and appropriateness.
ONGOING CALENDAR ITEMS
Meetings or events that occur less than weekly are
noted with a week number- i.e. "1 st , 3 rd " indicates
meetings are on the first and third times that day occurs in the month. * indicates appointment needed.
Meals on Wheels, Mon-Fri, except holidays
Planning Board, Town Hall, 7pm, 2 nd , 4 lh
Mondays:
(4 th only for summer)
Building Inspector, Town Hall, 7am-1pm
Thursdays:
Board of Selectmen, Town Hall, 7pm, 1 s ', 3 rd
Building Inspector, Thurs. 11am-6pm
Conservation Commission, Town Hall, 7pm,
Senior Center physical fitness, 9am
ynd 4th
Third Thursday Luncheon, Senior Center, noon
Board of Health, Town Hall, 7pm, 2 nd
* Hearing Testing available, Senior
Food Assistance Program, Old Parish Church,
Center, 3 rd
9-10:30am
Breaking Bread Kitchen, Amehican Legion
* Foot care clinic, Senior Center, 1 s '
Hall, 5pm
Tuesdays:
Fridays
Building Inspector, 7am-1pm
Building Inspector, 11am-4pm
Ashley Falls Historic District Commission,
Council on Aging, 9:30am, as needed
Town Hall, 6:30pm, 2 nd
Farmers' Market, Old Parish Church Parking
Senior Center physical fitness, 9am
lot, 2:30-6:30pm
Children's Story Hour, Library, 10am
Commission on Disabilities, Library, 3:30pm 3 rd
Senior Center "Lawn Chair Movie," 11:30am
Saturdays:
Kiwanis Club, The Bridge Restaurant,
Dewey Hall Folk Music Series, 8pm, 1 st
6:30pm
Senior Center Knitting Group, 11am, 3 rd
Wednesdays:
Sundays:
Senior Center Knitting Group, 3pm, 1 s '
Men's Group, Old Parish, 7:45am, 2 nd
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27
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Sheffield
IMES
Community Newsletter for
Sheffield & Ashley Falls, MA
P.O. Box 1339
Sheffield, MA 01257
sheffieldtimes@hotmail.com
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